Knowledge regarding reproductive health among school going adolescent of Shram Rastriya secondary school, Chabahil, Kathmandu.

Thesis Report.

ABSTRACT: The "Knowledge Regarding Reproductive Health among School Going Adolescent" was conducted in Shram Rastriya Secondary School at Chabahil Kathmandu with the objective to assess the existing knowledge towards reproductive health among school going adolescents. The study population had 180 students in class 9 and 10.Sample was selected from 180 students by simple random sampling. Descriptive and exploratory study was carried out among 50 students of class 9 and 10. Majority respondents had good knowledge about male and female reproductive organ. But in relation to female reproductive organ, about half of the respondents had insufficient knowledge about fallopian tube and ovary and some respondents had wrong knowledge about male and female reproductive organ. Majority respondents had good knowledge about physical changes in both male and female but some respondents had insufficient knowledge about night falls, enlargement of penis, breast enlargement. Majority 40(80%) explored that 20-24 yrs age group is the appropriate age for marriage. Majority 39(78%) respondents stated that there is a risk for health of mother and child at early pregnancy. Majority 29(58%) expressed that 20-24 yrs age group is the appropriate age for Pregnancy. Majority 38(76%) reported that 4 -5 years is the appropriate gap between pregnancy. Regarding the knowledge on occurrence of pregnancy, Majority 33(66%) stated that for the occurrence of pregnancy, Sperm of male should combine with ovum of female. Majority 49(98%) respondents heard about Family Planning and had knowledge about FP devices, but lacking information on Depoprovera, Norplant, Copper-T and Condom. So it needs to be improved more. Majority 30(60%) respondents had knowledge about Coitus Interruption as a Natural Family Planning and 20(40%) respondents had wrong knowledge about it. Regarding the sources of knowledge, Majority 43(86%) respondents reported their Sources of Knowledge about FP as Teachers. Majority respondents had not right knowledge about abortion. Majority respondents had known about legislation of abortion. Majority respondents had knowledge about HIV / AIDS. Majority respondents had knowledge about HIV/AIDS, Syphilis as STDs. But majority 31(62%) respondents were unknown about Gonorrhea as STDs. Majority respondents were known about Signs and symptoms of STDs. Majority respondents had knowledge about Safer Sex. Regarding sources of knowledge on HIV/ AIDS/ STDs, Majority 47(94%) had gained knowledge from Teachers. Regarding the best sources of knowledge on RH, Majority 15(30%) explored the best sources as Parents. The study also highlighted the major areas where need more attention and expansion of RH knowledge. School children have the right to appropriate information. From their early teen years, school children need systematic and large amounts of education on reproductive health. They need to learn topics such as: the dangers of early marriage and, early pregnancies, unsafe sex, un-spaced pregnancies, abortion and HIV/AIDS prevention from mother to child. So, well-designed school-based reproductive health programs, through peer influence and diffusion process can be beneficial to out-of-school youth and to the whole community. This calls for political commitment, careful planning, adequate resources and coordinated efforts among all partners responsible for the welfare of the adolescent population.

Eng.